The next generation of polypropylene pipe

Metal was undoubtedly the most widespread material in the field of water distribution in the past. Galvanized steel and copper were most commonly used. Galvanized steel is very rarely used for installations today, as the disadvantages are considerable laborious assembly, complex connection by means of threads, relatively large pressure losses in the distribution system, and especially the deposition of impurities in the pipeline, which negatively affects drinking water quality. However, due to its low price and good fire protection properties, pipes made of this material are relatively widely used for utility water and fire water mains.

Copper pipes have their challenges when it comes to distributing drinking water. Like steel pipes, they are prone to deposits. This is one of the reasons why copper is mainly used for heating distribution. Compared to steel, it offers easier assembly and lower pressure losses. On the other hand, it is quite expensive.

Undoubtedly, the highest quality metal systems are stainless steel pipes. They meet all the requirements for maintaining the required quality of drinking water, but due to the high purchase price, they are very rarely used for internal water distribution.
Plastic is popular. And rightly so.

In the case of indoor plumbing, plastic replaces metal. There are several reasons: plastic pipes have a lower weight, can be easily and quickly installed, are durable, have a long service life, no dirt settles in them, have no negative effect on water quality and meet the strictest hygiene standards. They are corrosion resistant so maintaining high flow capacity and low-pressure loss for the full lifetime of the installation.

As in the case of metal, there is a relatively large selection of variants in plastic. One of the most commonly used polyfusion welded system made of polypropylene (PP-R, PP-RCT), there are single-layer but also multi-layer pipes, which bring even greater pressure resistance at higher temperatures, and thus safety and durability. A good example of such a pipe is Wavin PP-RCT Basalt, which is reinforced with basalt fiber.

In the last few years, the PP-RCT material - a new-generation polypropylene, which gives the pipe exceptional strength and durability, has also begun to gain ground in the field of plastic distribution. Due to its properties, it is possible to use pipes with a thinner wall thickness than PP-R pipes for the same applications. For example, PP-RCT pipes, offer 37% higher flow rate compared to the previous generation of pipes, which allows the use of smaller pipes and thus significantly save not only costs but also the environment.